Connection key for Newcastle businesses

New tests have revealed businesses in the city are better connected than their rivals in the Capital

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Mobile phone users in Newcastle have fast internet access on the move

New tests have revealed businesses in the city are better connected than their rivals in the Capital.

Research by RootMetrics, a mobile performance research firm, has highlighted that mobile phone users in Newcastle have faster internet access on the move.

The news comes after it was revealed city firms have the strongest demand for 4G, with 85% of businesses saying they intended to take up 4G mobile services over the next year.

EE’s average upload mobile internet speed in the city matches the fastest average speed RootMetrics has recorded by any operator in any UK city to date.

The results also uncovered that overall mobile internet performance is better than in London.

At the same time, Three and O2 have upped their game. Three’s average mobile internet download speed has nearly tripled since the tests were carried out in September last year. Its average download speed of 6.8 Mbps is the fastest speed RootMetrics has recorded by Three in any UK city to date.

O2’s average download speed was nearly twice as fast as the speed found in September 2012.

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, said: “Mobile is increasingly a business as well as a social and entertainment platform.

“Having good 4G coverage brings economic benefits to the city, as well as enabling us to keep in touch.”

Mark Stephenson, a North East Chamber of Commerce infrastructure policy specialist, added: “High speed online connections are just as important as road and rail infrastructure and are an essential component rather than an optional extra for many firms, so it is good for our members that Newcastle I such a well-connected city.”